Cayenne pepper has many amazing properties that help relieve pain, strengthen your cardiovascular system, lower you blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and increasing your metabolism. It is truly a super herb that can be both ingested and applied topically. While you may be aware of these benefits, did you know that cayenne pepper is actually amazing for your skin? For both minor and major blemishes cayenne pepper can improve the look and feel of your skin. Cayenne pepper actually increases blood flow to your skin bringing with it oxygen and many essential nutrients. Below are three skin conditions that can be relieved with the help of cayenne pepper.

1.Acne
While there are many genetic factors involved with acne, it is also caused by our diet and lifestyle. Acne is caused by blocked skin pores that then cause backed up bacteria to grow and cause non-inflammatory acne (whiteheads and blackheads) or inflammatory acne (papule and pustule). Cayenne pepper helps to stimulate the blood flow and open clogged pores. You can mix some cayenne pepper with warm water and drink in the morning or you can apply some cayenne pepper to the affected area. If you only have a couple of pimples it is best to apply it topically but if you have serious acne then ingesting the pepper as part of a daily regimen is the best long-term solution.

2.Poison Ivy

The active ingredient, capsaicin, in cayenne pepper will help relieve the itching and the dryness caused by poison ivy. The heat from the cayenne pepper will stimulate your endorphins which will ease the pain and help prevent you from scratching and spreading the oil from the poison ivy. Just mix the cayenne pepper with some water and apply it. To be safe make sure you use gloves so you don’t spread the poison ivy while you are treating it.

3.Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that flaky irritated skin. It often creates scaly patches that appear most often on your elbows, knees and scalp. Psoriasis is reoccurring, uncomfortable and painful. Cayenne pepper is a great natural treatment for psoriasis. While applying it topically for this condition is not advised since it can burn and aggravate the psoriasis further, it is important to add cayenne pepper to your diet. You can make a drink with warm water or just simply add it as a condiment to your meals. You can also buy capsules to take a supplement if that is the most convenient way for you get it in your diet or if you do not like spicy foods.

Cayenne pepper is great for your skin for any kinds of acne, blemishes or other skin conditions. Always consult a doctor as well so that you are getting full and proper treatment for any serious skin conditions.

For more information on the health benefits of cayenne pepper click here.